Football fan arrested after appearing to mock Middlesbrough fans, over A66 crash
A football fan from The Midlands has been arrested, for appearing to mock Middlesbrough supporters following the A66 crash near South Bank earlier this year
Last updated 12th Oct 2026
A football fan has been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence after images emerged of a man apparently mocking Middlesbrough supporters following the devastating crash on the A66 which killed seven people.
Cleveland Police said a 20-year-old from Walsall was arrested after Boro beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
Images appeared online of what was believed to be a Wolves fan holding up a mobile phone with the message “Police Killed Your Own” on the screen.
The crash on the A66 killed two police officers and five young men in the early hours of August 22.
An official investigation has found that police did not use a stinger or initiate “tactical contact” prior to the head-on crash between a marked police vehicle and a VW Passat which was heading the wrong way along a dual-carriageway, moments after a pursuit had been aborted.
Cleveland Police’s dedicated football officer, Pc Chris Hilton, said: “Working closely with West Midlands Police, we were quickly able to identify and arrest a suspect in connection with an incident involving footage of potentially alarming and distressing behaviour captured during the match on Saturday.
“We began the investigation into this incident immediately after we were made aware of this footage following the match.
“We will always deal with incidents of this nature quickly and robustly to make sure the message is loud and clear that anyone attending a football match should be able to do so in a safe and enjoyable environment.
“We will take enforcement action and investigate anyone suspected of trying to cause disruption.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the majority of fans who turned out on Saturday at the Riverside Stadium whose sole aim was to enjoy the match with fellow football fans.”
Middlesbrough fan and Labour MP Andy McDonald called the incident “deplorable” and said it soured the win.
He said: “I welcome the swift and decisive action by Cleveland Police and their West Midlands counterparts after what was a shocking and provocative display at the Wolves match on Saturday.
“It soured what was otherwise a fabulous day.
“It was stupid and deeply offensive for a visiting fan to try to weaponise a tragic incident that has caused our entire community such pain.
“It was so recent and it still hurts and his actions were deplorable.
“There is no place for that behaviour in football or in society.”